4 Ways to Make Money with AI Influencers No One's Talking About (2025)

Did you know how much Kim Kardashian got paid for one Instagram post? $2.2 million—for a single photo! But she’s not even the highest earner. Cristiano Ronaldo topped that with $3.2 million for one post. Crazy, right? But here’s the kicker: in 2025, brands are rethinking these insane payouts.

Why? AI influencers are changing the game. These virtual personalities deliver the same engagement, views, and results as human celebrities—but at a fraction of the cost.

Take Itana Lopez, for example. She went viral in 2024 and earns $111,000 a month through brand deals. She’s completely AI-generated—never takes a day off, never has a scandal. Or look at Imma, a Japanese AI influencer who’s worked with global giants like IKEA and Amazon.

In the next 5–10 years, many of the biggest influencers on social media won’t be human. Virtual influencers are becoming the norm. Don’t believe me? Check out the spike in interest for AI influencers on Google Trends—it’s skyrocketing.

Brands are investing heavily in this because it works. They get the same exposure, engagement, and sales at just 2% of the cost of traditional influencers. At the end of the day, companies care about numbers, not whether the influencer is real or AI.

Now, AI influencers like Itana are already pulling in millions of views with massive engagement rates. Brands like McDonald’s and IKEA are on board, and this is just the beginning.

Today, I’ll show you exactly how you can tap into this growing opportunity in 2025.

1. Creating AI-Generated UGC Videos
User-generated content (UGC) is a goldmine, and AI makes it incredibly easy to produce. You can use tools like Arad AI to create realistic avatars that promote products without ever stepping in front of the camera.

These avatars are customizable—choose their persona, outfit, and even their background to match the product or brand. For example, if you’re in the fitness niche, you can select avatars in workout gear, standing in a gym environment. With features like cloning, you can even replicate yourself once and use it for multiple videos, each with unique scripts.

This method is beginner-friendly, quick to start, and perfect for TikTok affiliate programs. I’ve seen creators start earning commissions just a week after posting their first AI-generated video.

2. AI-Driven Video Podcasts
Podcasts have exploded in popularity, and video podcasts are the next big thing. Tools like Notebook LM by Google let you create AI-generated audio podcasts with two characters discussing any topic you upload.

But here’s where it gets exciting: assign AI personas to those characters, add visuals, and you’ve got a full video podcast. Imagine creating a crypto-themed podcast where two AI hosts debate Bitcoin’s future, or a true-crime series narrated by virtual personalities.

This format is perfect for niches like crypto, investing, or even current events. With longer videos, you can place more ads and attract sponsors, maximizing revenue.

3. AI-Generated Video Ads
E-commerce brands spend thousands on ad production—hiring models, booking studios, and organizing shoots. AI influencers eliminate all of that.

With tools like Arad AI, you can create multiple ad variations in a single day. Change the avatar’s age, script, or setting to test different approaches, all without hiring a single person.

Here’s how you can monetize this: position yourself as an AI ad agency. Offer brands cost-effective ad production services, saving them time and money while helping them scale their campaigns. Focus on a niche you understand, like beauty, fitness, or supplements, and build case studies to attract clients.

Why This Matters Now
The AI influencer market is projected to hit $38 billion by 2030. Early adopters are already making six figures using these strategies. And this isn’t about replacing human creators—it’s about amplifying what we can achieve.

With AI, you’re no longer limited to one niche or channel. You can create multiple channels, each tailored to a specific audience, all while maintaining a personal connection through AI-generated personas.

If you’re excited about these opportunities, let me know in the comments! And if you’re curious about other business ideas for 2025, check out my next video where I cover five ideas that can earn you $500 an hour. See you there!